Capsule for infusion and soluble beverages with anti-drip system

ABSTRACT

A capsule (1) for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages includes an inner base (33) having a labyrinth (30) adapted to prevent, by capillarity, the passage of the infused beverage towards the opening (31) when the pressure inside the capsule (1) drops below a threshold value. The labyrinth (30) includes a plurality of capillary channels (321), each capillary channel (321) being defined between two adjacent labyrinth portions (30) and closed at the top by a sealing disc (5). Advantageously, the section of the capillary channels (321) ranges from 0.01 mm2 to 0.36 mm2, preferably between 0.08 mm2 and 0.15 mm2.

The object of the present invention is a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages.

In particular, the object of the present invention is a capsule for the packaging of concentrated products (for example in the form of powder, granules, leaves) in predetermined and single-use doses for the impromptu preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by introducing a fluid under pressure (usually hot water) into the same capsule.

Such known capsules contain a pre-packaged single-use dose of the substance to be infused, enclosed within a plastic container (called a cup), closed by a cover.

There are different types of automatic or semi-automatic machines for the preparation of infused beverages. The operating principle common to one particular category of such machines provides for the perforation of the cover of the capsule and the injection inside the cup of the fluid under pressure. The consequent penetration of the substance to be infused contained within the cup by the flow of hot water, dispensed by an infuser group of the same machine, results in the preparation of the infused beverage.

At the end of the dispensing cycle of the preparation machine, in particular when the capsule is removed from the infusion chamber, a part of the residual fluids still contained inside the cup may leak, causing a consequent dripping to the outside which may be annoying and difficult for the user to manage.

The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages that solves the problems of the known art by taking into account the needs of the sector.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for the preparation of infused beverages equipped with an anti-drip system which, by exploiting the principle of capillarity, prevents the fluids remaining inside the cup from leaking out, once the capsule is disengaged from the infuser group of the preparation machine.

Such object is achieved by a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

The features and advantages of a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages according to the present invention will be apparent from the description given below, provided by way of non-limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2a shows a sectional view of a capillary channel in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2b shows a sectional view of a capillary channel in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 3a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a first variant embodiment;

FIG. 3b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a second variant embodiment;

FIG. 4b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a third variant embodiment;

FIG. 5b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a fourth variant embodiment;

FIG. 6b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a fifth variant embodiment;

FIG. 7b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8a shows a top view of the inner bottom of a capsule according to a sixth variant embodiment;

FIG. 8b shows a perspective sectional view of the variant of FIG. 8 a;

With reference to the accompanying figures, a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages is shown, indicated at the reference number 1.

Capsule 1 comprises a body or cup 2 suitable for defining an internal volume V for containing at least one substance 11 to be infused or dissolved, typically in powder or granular form.

The cup 2 is made of plastic material, preferably by injection or co-injection molding, or thermoformed.

The cup 2 is provided, on the one side, with a bottom 3 and, on the opposite side, with an inlet opening 21 defined by an edge 4 protruding outward.

The capsule 1 comprises a cover 6 fixed by bonding or welding to the upper edge 4 adapted to seal the cup 2 at the top.

The cup 2 is provided externally on the bottom 3 with an outlet opening 31, defined by a nozzle 32, adapted to allow the outflow of the infused beverage.

The cup 2 is provided internally at the bottom 3 with an inner base 33 provided with a plurality of reliefs 310, 320, 360 projecting vertically with respect to the same base 33. The reliefs protrude toward the inside of the cup 2, toward the cover 6. Advantageously, the top surface of the reliefs 310, 320, 360 is substantially flat and devoid of cutting, puncture or tearing elements.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the base 33 comprises a central portion 310 defined by a first relief covering the outlet opening 31 of the nozzle 32. The central portion 310 is provided with at least one connection opening 311 between the inside of the cup 2 and the outlet opening 31 to allow the flow of the infused beverage out of the capsule 1. Preferably, the central portion 310 comprises a plurality of connection openings 311.

The base 33 comprises a labyrinth 30 adapted to prevent, by capillarity, the passage of the infused beverage towards the nozzle 32 when the pressure inside the capsule 1 drops below a threshold value or ceases altogether when the capsule 1 is disengaged from the infuser group of the machine. The labyrinth 30 is defined by a plurality of reliefs called labyrinth portions 320.

The base 33 comprises an outer edge 360, defined by a further relief, on which a sealing disc 5 is fixed in a partially releasable manner, i.e. in a peelable manner by gluing or welding.

The capsule 1 is therefore internally provided with a sealing disk 5 located at the base 33 and adapted to seal the cup 2 on the bottom. The capsule 1 is thus provided with a closed chamber 12, defined at the top by the cover 6 and at the bottom by the disc 5, within which the substance 11 to be infused or dissolved is contained.

The disc 5 is made of plastic, multilayer or single layer, or of aluminum, or of a plastic/aluminum composite material.

The disc 5 is positioned between the inner volume V and the base 33, below the substance 11, fixed on the reliefs 310, 320, 360.

The disc 5 is then fixed on the edge 360, on the labyrinth 30 and on the central portion 310.

Preferably, the disc 5 is peelably fixed at least on the upper surface of the relief 360 of the base 33, so as to detach therefrom as a result of the pressure increase inside the capsule 1.

In use inside an infused beverage preparation machine, which pierces the cover 6 and injects the fluid under pressure into the cup 2, the pressure exerted by the fluid rises until the opening pressure is reached (for example between 4 and 8 bar), which pushes on the disc 5 until the capsule 1 opens. In particular, due to the increase in pressure inside the capsule 1, the disc 5 deforms until it separates from the edge 360 of the base 33. Such separation causes the sealing effect previously ensured by the sealing disc 5 to fail.

Preferably, between the edge 360 and the labyrinth 30, there is defined at the base 33 a collecting depression 330 adapted to collect the infused beverage and to allow the outflow thereof toward the labyrinth 30.

Preferably, between the labyrinth 30 and the central portion 310, there is defined at the base 33 a conveying depression 340 adapted to collect the infused beverage and to allow it to flow through the openings 311 towards the nozzle 32, and outside of the capsule 1.

Preferably, the capsule 1 is provided, at the base 33, with supports 90 adapted to accompany the deformation of the disc 5 in such a way that it does not tear or break, and keeps the disc raised in such a way that it does not adhere to the bottom of the collecting depression 330. Preferably, the supports 90 are arranged inside the collecting depression 330 between the labyrinth 30 and the edge 360.

Preferably, the base 33 also comprises, inside of the collecting depression 330, a plurality of supports 350, defined by further reliefs, arranged between the labyrinth 30 and the edge 360. The supports 350, substantially in the form of a circumferential arc, define a plurality of recesses 351 or compartments. In particular, a recess 351 is defined between a pair of adjacent supports 350. Advantageously, the recess 351 defines a preferential space for the deformation of the disc 5.

As already mentioned, in the known capsules, the problem of dripping of residual fluids still contained inside the cup at the end of the dispensing cycle, in particular when the capsule is removed from the infusion chamber, is highlighted.

Advantageously, the capsule 1 according to the present invention is provided with an anti-drip system which, exploiting the principle of capillarity, prevents the fluids remaining inside the cup 2 from leaking out.

The base 33 comprises in effect the labyrinth 30.

The labyrinth 30 comprises a plurality of labyrinth portions 320 which define a plurality of capillary channels 321.

Each labyrinth portion 320 develops radially with respect to the base 33, between the collecting depression 330 and the conveying depression 340.

Each capillary channel 321 connects the collecting depression 330 with the conveying depression 340 and defines an outflow path for the infused beverage towards the outlet opening 31.

The capillary channel 321 is defined between two adjacent labyrinth portions 30 and is closed at the top by the disc 5, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b.

The capillary channel 321 is defined between an inlet 326 and an outlet 327.

The outlet 327 of the capillary channel 321 flows into the conveying depression 340.

In order to optimize the capillary effect provided by the labyrinth 30 and to provide a particularly effective anti-drip system, some measures have been adopted.

In particular, the section of the capillary channel 321 is between 0.01 mm² and 0.3 mm², preferably between 0.08 mm² and 0.15 mm², even more preferably 0.1 mm2. Such section allows, on the one hand, to achieve the outflow of the infused beverage under pressure (between 4 bar and 8 bar), and on the other, to effectively retain the residual fluids inside the cup 2 when the pressure drops below a threshold value.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2a , the section of the capillary channel 321 is polygonal, preferably square or rectangular.

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 2b , the section of the capillary channel 321 is at least partly curved.

To define the section of the capillary channel 321 in terms of base b and height h: preferably the base b is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, even more preferably 0.3 mm; preferably the height h is between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, even more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm.

The length of the capillary channel 321 being defined as LC, measured as the length of the path between the inlet 326 and the outlet 327, and the radial length of the labyrinth 30 as LL, measured as the radial distance between the inlet 326 and the outlet 327: the length LC of the capillary channel 321 is greater than the radial length LL of the labyrinth 30 (LC>LL).

Preferably, the ratio between the length LC of the capillary channel 321 and the radial length LL of the labyrinth 30 (LC/LL) is between 1.5 and 5, preferably between 2 and 3.

Preferably, the capillary channel 321 has a tortuous pattern.

The capillary channel 321 comprises at least one curve 328 or one change of direction.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the capillary channel 321 comprises a plurality of angled curves, preferably at 90° angles.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the capillary channel 321 has a substantially radial pattern.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the capillary channel 321 has a zigzag or “square wave” pattern.

In the variant of FIG. 7, the capillary channel 321 has a radial and circumferential pattern.

In the variant of FIG. 8, the capillary channel 321 has a winding line pattern.

The labyrinth 30 comprises a number of capillary channels 321 ranging from 10 to 40, preferably 20 to 30. This solution makes it possible to exploit all the space available between the collecting depression 330 and the conveying depression 340, in order to make capillary channels 321 that are sufficiently narrow and long.

Advantageously, the capillary channels 321 as described above with regard to the embodiments 3 to 8 are provided with a particularly thin section and a length that retains the residual liquid by capillarity, so as to considerably reduce and even eliminate dripping when the pressure inside of the capsule drops below a threshold value or ceases completely.

Preferably, in an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, all the capillary channels 321 flow into the conveying depression 340 at a bank 9. That is, the outlet 327 of each capillary channel 321 faces a bank 9. That is to say, none of the outlets 327 of the capillary channels 321 directly faces a connection opening 311.

The bank 9 is a relief arranged within the conveying depression 340.

The bank 9 is a relief arranged circumferentially between the labyrinth 30 and the connection opening 311.

Such solution keeps the flow of the infused beverage from being directly channeled into a connection opening 311 towards the nozzle 32, reducing the vorticity of the flow leaving the capsule 1 and thus eliminating splashing.

The capsule 1 may be made in different versions, for example, for the preparation of infused beverages (for example coffee or tea) or soluble beverages.

Preferably, the coffee capsule 1 comprises a fixed filter under the substance 11 and just above the disk 5.

Preferably, the coffee capsule 1 further comprises a permeable or micro-perforated film, fixed at a certain distance above the substance 11.

The capsule 1, in its different variant embodiments, may be used for the impromptu preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by means of automatic or semi-automatic machines equipped with a dispensing unit adapted to produce an infusion via the passage of pressurized hot water through the capsule 1.

A capsule according to the present invention may be used for the packaging of concentrated products (in the form of powder or granules or leaves) in predetermined and single-use doses, for the impromptu preparation of beverages such as leaf or soluble tea, powdered or instant coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, or other dehydrated and soluble products.

Innovatively, a capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages according to the present invention is provided with a labyrinth portion 30 which acts as an anti-drip system. The labyrinth portion 30, exploiting the principle of capillarity, prevents the fluids remaining inside the cup 2 from leaking out once the capsule is disengaged from the infuser group of the preparation machine.

Advantageously, in a variant embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention, all the capillary channels 321 flow at a bank 9 in such a way as to avoid that the flow of the infused beverage is directly channeled into a connection opening 311 towards the nozzle 32, reducing vorticity and eliminating splashes.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages described above, all of which are within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims. 

1. Capsule for preparing infusion or soluble beverages, comprising a cup adapted to define an inner volume for containing at least one substance to be infused or dissolved, said cup being closed at the top by a cover and comprising; on the an opposite side of the cover, an opening for the exit of the an infused beverage; internally a base having reliefs projecting towards the cover; internally a sealing disc, fixed between the inner volume and the reliefs, adapted to inferiorly seal the capsule; said base comprising a labyrinth having a plurality of labyrinth portions adapted to prevent passage by capillarity of the infused beverage towards the opening when pressure inside the capsule falls below a threshold value; wherein said labyrinth comprises a plurality of capillary channels, each channel being defined between two adjacent labyrinth portions and superiorly closed by the sealing disc, wherein the a section through the capillary channels is between 0.01 mm² and 0.3 mm².
 2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein having defined the section of the capillary channel in terms of base and height, the base is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, and the height is between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.
 3. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein length of the capillary channel, measured as the distance of a path between an inlet and an outlet, is greater than length of the labyrinth, measured as radial distance between the inlet and the outlet.
 4. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the ratio between the length of the capillary channel and the length of the labyrinth is between 1.5 and
 5. 5. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the labyrinth comprises between 10 and 40 capillary channels.
 6. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the capillary channel has a zigzag or a “square wave” or a winding line pattern.
 7. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the capillary channel has a tortuous pattern comprising a plurality of angled curves.
 8. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein each labyrinth portion develops radially with respect to the base, between a collecting depression, defined between an outer edge and the labyrinth, and a conveying depression, defined between the labyrinth and a central portion.
 9. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein an inlet and an outlet are defined for each capillary channel, all of the capillary channels flow at a bank, in a relief arranged circumferentially between the labyrinth and the opening for the exit of the infused beverage.
 10. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the disc is fixed in a peelable manner on an edge of the base to separate from the base at least partially due to the increase of pressure within the capsule, and wherein the opening of the capsule for the exit of the infused beverage occurs by deformation of the disc as a result of pressure exerted by the fluid inside the capsule.
 11. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the section of the capillary channels (321) is between 0.08 mm² and 0.15 mm².
 12. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the ratio between the length of the capillary channel and the length of the labyrinth is between 2 and
 3. 13. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the labyrinth comprises between 20 and 30 capillary channels.
 14. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the capillary channel has a tortuous pattern comprising a plurality of angled curves with 90° angles. 